Director, writer and producer Kat Coiro will be the first to tell you that, like many of us, she still has yet to nail down a solid work-life balance. But that doesn’t mean she’s not trying. As an executive producer on CBS’ Matlock, Coiro also directed several episodes of the hit show that’s already been picked up for Season 2. Part of the secret to her success: Tracking her sleep and staying active on-set. “Wellness is just a huge part of my creative process,” says Coiro. More from our talk, ahead.
It sounds like, besides ‘Matlock’ being a success with viewers, the cast really enjoys working together.
Oh, yes, it’s really a dream show. It’s one of those rare, alchemic experiences where everybody gets along and it’s incredibly collaborative. It’s just been a highlight of my career.
I’d assume that working on a reboot can be tricky. How did you go through the process creatively?
The only time I ever thought of it as a reboot was before I had read it. When I got the initial call about Matlock, I can’t say that I was super excited by just the title and the idea of a reboot. Then, I got a second call that said Kathy Bates was attached. I looked at Jennie and realized she’d written Jane the Virgin and I said, “Let me read it.”
As soon as I read the script, I went from ambivalent to praying and hoping they would hire me as the director. It’s so unique and complex and complicated. I think it gives Kathy this format to really spread her wings and show her range, which is, as we all know, vast. I don’t even think of it as a reboot. I think of it more as an homage.
Without spoiling anything, there was a pretty big twist with Kathy Bates’ character. How did you keep that one close to you?
I’m always terrified about getting too close. Even last night, we did a panel for the Screen Actors Guild. They kept asking Jennie about where the series was going. I get very nervous because I do think part of the fun of this show is the surprises. Of course, there’s the big surprise of the pilot. But there are even more twists baked into every episode and, obviously, the series arc.
That is one of the things that you have to keep in mind when you’re talking about the show, but also when you’re working on the show. You have to leave breadcrumbs and hints and shoot it in a way where when you go back and watch it, you realize that everything comes together. You also can’t tip the hand too much. That was constantly a conversation and at the forefront of my mind in directing.
I’m sure. What does your day-to-day look like when you get up, go to work, wrap? How do you keep work at work and your personal life separate?
There tends to be a lack of a personal life once you go into production. I always just get into that and don’t do a great job breaking from it—besides taking care of my children. I basically work and take care of my children.
A fun little behind-the-scenes on Matlock was I have the world’s most amazing assistant director. About six episodes in, she and I were complaining about how hard it is to exercise and work and how when you get into production mode, you just stop taking care of yourself.
We started doing push-ups, ten push-ups every hour on set. It started with just the two of us and then it grew. By the end of the 19 episodes, so many people on the crew were coming up to us and saying, “I’ve never felt better. I actually started going to the gym and we started going to Pilates at 5 in the morning before shooting.” There was a camaraderie that really lent itself to well-being and health that I had never experienced before. It was really cool.
That’s amazing. It is tough to remember that your own health is what is most important.
It’s a huge part of doing your job well! I sort of have to have this nonstop energy. For me, my job is making decisions—split-second decisions—all day long. If you’re tired or groggy or don’t feel good, you’re not doing your job. That has, especially on this show, become a huge part of my creative routine, I would say.
How do you let your body calm down and let your mind rest? What is your sleep secret?
That is a practice that I have been working on since I started working in this industry. I do have an Oura Ring. I have to say it’s been a game-changer for me in terms of sleep. I now think of my sleep as a video game that I have to win. It sounds crazy, but it’s been so motivating to go, “This is my sleep score. I’m going to better it tonight and get into bed as early as I can.” My children tease me now because I go to sleep before them. It’s really all for the score.
I should try that.
If you aren’t quite aware of it, you might think you’re doing okay. When you actually see the numbers, it can be shocking. [laughs] It really has been a huge change for me. It also tells me when to slow down. For example, working out if you’re exhausted isn’t good. I find that just searching for that balance of mental clarity and physical well-being is a huge part of my creative process.
What are you looking forward to as we wrap up the second half of November?
I’m so overjoyed to watch the audience’s reaction to Matlock. I’ve loved this show since I did the pilot back in 2023. With a lot of pilots, I’ll do a pilot, do maybe one more episode, and then leave. With this show, I said, “I want to do as many as I can.” I did episodes 1, 2, 4, 6, 12, 14, 16, 18, 19. Watching it unfold and people react to it and fall in love with these characters keeps me on the edge of my seat every week. The fact that we got renewed for Season 2 gives me a lot to look forward to. I’m going to be doing a feature film in between seasons. I just finished editing the finale. It’s been such a huge part of my year and I’m looking forward to coming back next year.
